Having been to a few exhibitions at FACT, I have always been fascinated regarding the contextual depth of each installation and piece. The exhibition ‘Augmented Empathy’ is curated by Keiken, a cross-dimensional collaboration practice, consisting of artists Hana Omori, Isabel Ramous and Tanya Cruz. The word Keiken is derived from the Japanese word experience, which imbues this exhibition. Augmented Empathy uses various forms of digital media to illustrate the way young people navigate the complexity of social media. Within our current climate, social media and other forms of online communication have been heavily dependent on, particularly with the current lockdown measures due to Covid 19. Through using tools such as Instagram filters, it subverts the existing uses and instead encourages artistic creation.
The interactive aspect of this exhibition, reminds us of new ways in which we can connect with ourselves and others. A particular argument made about our society is the lack of connection we have to one-another due to the impact of social media, however through this exhibition, it allows us to reimagine and unlearn the ways in which we construct identity.
The playful aspect of the filters, enables these fluid expressions of identity, in which dance artist Sakeema Crook explores in her video installation. I found this piece to be quite surreal and engaging in its display. Sakeem Crook working with CGI artist Ryan Vautier, to design and an animated performance of Crook surrounded by a vegetative world or plants and trees. This idea of combining themes of nature within a digital aspect, illustrates the disconnect that we have to nature and the natural environment. I found this to be an insightful dichotomy on the impact of the digital on the physical world.
Due to the impact of Covid 19, some may argue that we have grown closer to our natural environment, as lockdown have encouraged people to go outside more for walks and exercises. However, it could also be argued that we have become more reliant on the digital to communicate. Regardless of this debate, I found FACTS’, exhibition to be most enlightening to the way we can question the impact that digital medias have affected our identities. In light of this, how will the future of the digital mould our ‘selves’? If we recognise the power of digital medias, can we use this to harness a creative and artistic value?
Link to exhibition info: https://www.fact.co.uk/event/augmented-empathy